Classic Poem

Vessel of Britain! proudly wert thou going,
Thy strong foundations seated in the sea,
Yet moving like the wind. The hearts were glowing,
The steps were light, the melody was free,
That usher'd in that midnight jollity:
Sad was the shock, and fearful was the doom,
That quench'd those happy hearts so suddenly;
And sad it was to see their kindred come
In quest o' the dearest brow, with hushing breath;
Oh! that those blessèd days should ne'er return,
When Christ was ready at the gates of Death
To bid them back, whom widowed souls would mourn!
To make the parents' hope revive and burn,
‘Why sorrowest thou? thy child but slumbereth.’